Spring head rail spike



' cross Referen Search Room 28 Apfil 14, 1942. G. W. MULLER 2,279,482

SPRING HEAD RAIL SPIKE vFiled July 23, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 1 gimme/wko@y earch Room 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GEORGE IM MULLER Cross Referen G. W.MULLER SPRING HEAD RAIL SPIKE F led J ly 23 1940 April 14, 1942.

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING HEAD RAILSPIKE George W. Muller, Miami, Fla. Application July 23, 1940, SerialNo. 347,052

V(Cl. 23S-366) 22 Claims.

This invention relates to railway spikes.

More specifically, the invention relates to spikes for retaining railwayrails against lateral movement as well as against creeping whilepermitting wave motion therein as induced by rolling stock travelingover the railway, the spikes also retaining the tie plates in positionon the ties whereby the entire track assemblage is maintained in properoperating condition.

The improved spikes in accordance with this invention are constructed ofbar spring steel, and are adapted for operative association with railwayties, tie plates, and rails in such manner as to offer yieldableresistance to vertical movement of the rails as well as longitudinal orcreeping movement thereof.

It is fully appreciated that yieldable rail retaining spikes of variousforms have heretofore been proposed or used, and while such priorconstructions may have in some instances proved satisfactory in theirability to retain the rails against creeping, they nevertheless wereopen to objection that they failed to permanently retain their railretaining abilities and in many instances the tie plates graduallybecame loose on the ties with the result that the rails were free toshift laterally to some extent.

This objection to prior proposed spike constructions was due to the factthat the spikes either included yieldable rail engaging members held inposition by rigid spikes driven through the tie plates and into theties, or they included unitary members comprising yieldable rail flangeengaging portions and straight shank portions for insertion through thetie plates and into the ties.

In either of these forms of construction, the tie engaging portions wereretained in position solely by their frictional engagement Within theties and during the repeated vibrations or wave motions in the rails thetie engaging portions gradually worked upwardly out of purchase in theties which not only impaired the efliciency of the yieldable railengaging portions but also resulted in the tie plates becoming loosewith consequent lateral shifting of the rails.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provideyieldable railway spikes which in use retain 'all the cooperating trackelements in correct position and thereby overcome the above notedobjections to prior spike constructions.

A further object of the invention is the provision of unitary spikesconstructed from bar spring steel and including tie engaging Shanks 55and rail engaging heads, the Shanks being so formed and the headsrelated thereto in such manner that the shanks frictionally engageopposed walls in the tie plate apertures and the heads engage the railanges under yieldable reaction and augment the engagement between theshanks and the walls of the tie plate apertures during flexing thereofas occasioned by vibration in the rails.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of yieldablerailway spikes having rail ange engaging heads which include springsteel bar portions variously bent in planes substantially at rightangles to each other whereby such bar portions are subjected to-bothcompression and twisting in the exing thereof as occasioned by railvibrations with the result that such heads oler substantial yieldableresistance to displacement of the rails.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of yieldablerailway spikes of the above noted character which are simple inconstruction, durable, efficient and dependable in use, and which arecapable of manufacture and installation at relative low cost.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of theinvention, reference will be had to the following detailed description,taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a transverse section of portions of a tie, tie plate, andrail showing a spike constructed in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention in elevation and in operative connection with the tie, tieplate, and rail.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the tie plate showingthe rail ange and spike in elevation.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the structure illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a spike in accordancewith a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 2 showing the spike of Figure 4 atright angles thereto.

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing a spike in accordancewith a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a spike in accordancewith a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the spike of Figure 8 atright angles thereto.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a spike according to astill further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 is a View similar to Figure 2 showing the spike of Figure 11at right angles thereto.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a spike in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 15 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing the spike of Figure 14at right angles thereto.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the head of a spikeof a still further form in operative association with a rail flange.

Figures 17 and 18 are views similar to Figure 1 showing a spike inaccordance with a still further embodiment of the invention, Figure 17showing the spike being applied and Figure 18 showing the spike inapplied position.

Referring now in detail to the drawings bythe use of referencecharacters, and referring first to the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figures l, 2 and 3, S designates a spike in operativeassociation with a rail R, tie plate P and tie T.

The spike is preferably constructed from al single piece of square barsteel and includes a shank I merging into a neck II at an off-set I2 andthe neck merges into a head formed by bending the bar downwardly andlaterally toward the rail as indicated at I3 and then bending the bartoward the left longitudinally of the rail as at I4. The bar is furtherbent downwardly at I providing a terminal rail engaging arm I6 which intop plan is parallel with the rail flange edge and which in elevationextends downwardly and toward the neck I I, terminating directly behindthe neck and having its lower corner II bearing on the rail flange.

'I'he oifset I2 provides for clearance of the edge of the rail flange bythe neck II and also provides a shoulder I8 which frictionally engagesthe inner wall of the tie plate spike receiving aperture a when theshank I0 is driven into the tie and the neck II yieldably engages theupper edge of the outer wall of the aperture at I9 which forms thefulcrum point for the flexing neck and head and due to the yieldablereaction on the walls of the tie plate aperture at points I8 and I8 theshank is retained against Withdrawal from the tie T as would otherwiseoccur in the course of repeated track vibrations caused by rolling stockmoving over the rails.

By the provision of the bends I3, I4 and I5 together with the outwardlyinclined and slightly bowed neck II and the downwardly inclined railiiange engaging arm I6 sucient length of bar material is available togive great exibility to the head and arm which at the same time therelatively heavy bar steel offers suflicient resistance to flexing tohold the rail against lateral and creeping movement.

This improved spike is highly simple in construction, easy to assemblewith standard tie plates and when in operative position, yieldablyretains the rail as well as the tie plate in position while permittingthe customary wave motion in the rail.

The spike S' in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 ispreferably formed from a single piece of bar steel also, the piece beingbent substantially centrally of the length thereof and the two portionslaid in contact whereby providing a shank, neck and head of two plieswhose joint cross section is substantially square as in the form ofFigures 1, 2 and 3.

The shank 2I is pointed at its lower end and adjacent its upper end isoifset at 22 wherefrom it merges into a neck 23 which through the oset22 is displaced outwardly to clear the ange of the rail R.

The neck 23 merges into a head formed by bending the neck laterallytoward the rail flange as at 24, then to the left in parallelism withthe rail as at 25, then bending the inner or lower layer or lamina as at26 providing a rail flange engaging arm 27 extending longitudinally ofthe rail and inclining downwardly from the bend 26 toward the neck 23and terminating at a point back of the neck whereat a terminal corner 28at the arm yieldably engages the rail flange.

'I'he upper or outer layer or lamina is bent downwardly at 29 andterminates in a vertical rail flange engaging arm 30 which isco-planular with the arm 21 and engages the rail flange through its endsurface in longitudinally spaced relation to the first arm engagingpoint 28.

This form of spike also has a shoulder 3l yieldably and frictionallyengaged with the inner wall of the tie plate aperture a and a fulcrumbearing engagement 32 with the upper edge of the outer wall of theaperture.

Thus this form of spike will function similarly to that of Figures 1, 2and 3 but will have a two point rail flange engagement whereby it willmore effectively hold the rail against creeping. The double layerconstruction will also provide for greater flexibility in the neck,head, and arm.

In the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 the spike S2 includes a shank `34which is bent intermediate its ends providing a tie plate aperture wallengaging portion 35, a knee portion 36 for engagement beneath the lowerinner corner of the tie plate aperture, a leg 3l inclined outwardly andterminating in an incurved foot 38.

The head is provided by a bend 39 to one side of the shank andterminating in an under-slung arm 40 for extending generallylongitudinally of the rail and for engaging the rail fiange at its lowerterminal corner.

The spike is driven into a tie and the knee 3B and foot 38 hold theshank in driven position.

A wedge spike 4I having a right angular head 42 and a chisel-point lowerend 43 is preferably provided for additional securing means for thespike S2. This wedge spike is driven through the tie plate aperture a incontact with the outer wall thereof, the head 42 serving as hammerimpact means and engaging over the head of spike S2 to drive same intoposition and retain it there. The lower chisel end of the wedge spikewill urge the shank thereof into contact with the foot 38 and therebyurge same into better binding contact with the tie.

This form of spike will function similarly to that of Figures l, 2 and 3in holding the rail in position.

'Ihe spike S3 in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 8, 9 and 10includes a shank 45 which is bent sidew'ise or olf-set at 46 at theposition of the tie plate aperture a when the shank is driven intoposition in the tie, this offset provides engagement of the shank withthe inner and outer corners of the inner and outer walls respectively atthe aperture a as indicated at 41 and 48.

These points of engagement hold the shank inposition and the contactpoint 4S provides a fulcrum about which the yieldable head oscillates.

This oiset 4B is provided by deecting the neck 49 outwardly as respectsthe rail ange in order to clear such ange and with this construction,the side of the shank adjacent the rail is forced toward the rail upondriving the spike into position, resulting in the yieldable contact atthe point 41.

By the spacing of the neck 49 from the edge of the rail ange the flexingof the neck is unobstructed as is also the wave motion in the rail.

The head of the spike is provided by bending the upper end of the neck49 slightly downwardly and to the right at 5i] as considered when thespike is in rail holding position.

By bending down slightly, a hammer driving point is provided at 5|, thehead of the spike further includes the bend 52 which terminates in anarm 53 extending downwardly longitudinally at the rail and having thelower corner 54 of its free end bearing on the rail ange.

In this particular construction, upward movement of the rail against theend of the arm 53 and on through the head and neck 49, will cause all tohave a slight oscillating or twist movement, similar to a coil springwhereby the rail will be effectively held against lateral movement andcreeping and the oiset 48 together with the yieldable resistance of theneck, head, and arm will positively maintain the shank 45 in tieengaging position.

The spike S4 according to the embodiment of Figures 1l, 12 and 13includes the shank 56 and a neck 51 joining the shank at the oiset whichprovides the shoulder 58 and fulcrum 59 respectively engaged with theinner and outer walls of the tie plate aperture.

'Ihe neck extends at a slight angle to the shank longitudinally of therail considering the spike in position, as is clearly indicated inFigure 12, the neck is then bent in opposition to the inclination of theneck as at 60 and thence extending slightly downwardly to provide adriving head at the bend 60.

From the bend 60 the head is continuously curved in coil formation intop plan as is clearly indicated in Figure 13, the material of the coilcontinuously extending downwardly as indicated in Figure l2 andterminating in a downwardly inclined arm 6| having the lower corner 62of its free end engaged with the rail flange.

As will be seen from Figures 12 and 13, the coil includes oppositelyfacing semi-circular bends 63 and 84 with the former considerably largerthan the latter, and with the arm 6| extending diametrically at the bend6F.- adjacent the edge of the rail ange and terminating behind the neck51 and extending in parallelism with the portion 55 interconnecting thebends 63 and 64.

This construction provides a highly efficient rail retaining means inthat upon upward movement of the rail, the various curved portionsembodied in the head are not only subjected to vertical exing but theentire head undergoes a torsional twist whereby substantial yieldableresistance is olered to displacement of the rail.

The spike S5 in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15 issimilar to that of Figures 4 and 5 in that it is of dual plyconstruction and presents a two point rail ilange engagement.

The spike, similar to that of Figures 4 and 5 Cross Reference ispreferably constructed from a single length of bar steel of rectangularcross section.

The bar is bent intermediate its ends with the two parts placed incontact to provide a shank 61 which adjacent its upper end is oiset at68 whence it merges into the neck 69 which as indicated in Figure 15 isoutwardly offset from the edge of the rail ange.

The upper end of the neck is bent at 10 in a direction longitudinally ofthe rail and the two bar portions continue in contact a short distancefrom this bend whereupon the inner or lower bar portion is extended andbent downwardly providing an arm 1I whose lower terminal corner 12 isadapted to engage the rail flange.

The outer or upper bar portion, is bent at 13 in a direction transverseto the rail and terminates in a downwardly inclined arm 14 whose lowerterminal corner 15 is adapted to engage the rail ange. The rail flangeengaging points 12 and 15 are substantially spaced longitudinally of therail, with one on each side of the neck 69.

The spike S6 in accordance with the embodiment of Figure 16 includes ashank 11 comprising four contacting steel bar portions of rectangularcross section, the bar portions including pairs 18 and 19.

Each pair of bar portions 18, 19 may be constructed from a single lengthof bar steel bent intermediate its ends as in the embodiment of Figures4, 5, 14 and 15 and the lower ends of the two bent over bars may besuitably secured and pointed for driving into a tie.

Each pair of bar portions 18, 19 is bent at 80 in opposition providingoppositely extending downwardly inclined laminated arms 8|.

The free ends of the lower bar portions in the arms 8l are adapted tocontact the rail ange and the upper bar portions in the arms act asreinforcements whereby substantial yieldable resistance is offered todisplacement of the rail.

The spikes S7 in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 17 and 18 issimilar to that of Figures 6 and 7. The flexible spike includes a shanksimilar to that in Figures 6 and 7, having a knee 83, leg 84, and foot85. A wedge spike 86 is preferably used to more positively hold thespike S7 in position and when driven into the tie holds the spikesubstantially as in the embodiment of Figures 6 and '1 except that theshank is held in engagement with the rail flange instead of being spacedtherefrom as in Figures 6 and 7.

The head of spike S7 is however quite different from that in Figures 6and '1 in that it includes reverse bends 8S and 81, the latter of whichterminates in an arm 88 whose free end is adapted to be engaged by anoverhanging head 89 on the wedge spike 86.

The bend 81 is adapted to engage the rail flange and the spike headincluded by the bends 88 and 81 and the arm 88 is substantiallycompressed by the wedge spike head 89 with the bend 81 engaging the railflange substantially inwardly of the edge thereof.

The wedge spike 86 is preferably provided with a shoulder S6 forengagement with the tie plate P for limiting the distance to which thewedge spike can be driven into the tie and consequently the compressionimparted to the head of the spike S7.

While the various spikes disclosed are intended to be constructed inquantities for application to trackways, they are for the most partherein described in relation to the rails merely as a con- Search Roomvenience in describing the various directions of extension of the spikeneck and head parts.

It should be readily appreciated from the foregoing disclosure that inaccordance with this invention, railway spikes are provided whichsubstantially fulfill the maximum requirements of such devices in thatthey act to maintain the rails in position on the tie plates undersubstantial yielding reaction to wave motion and they also function toretain a frictional grip with the tie plates and which grip is augmentedduring vibration or wave motion of the rails.

With this characteristic, the spikes once assembled with the tie platesand rails will permanently retain their rail retaining properties andwill also retain the tie plates in firm engagement with the ties wherebythe rails will be positively maintained against lateral displacement.

It is to be particularly noted that the heads of the spikes embodyrelatively great lengths of bar steel whereby fatigue will be reduced toa minimum during the successive flexing thereof as occasioned by wavemotion in the rails and the various angularly disposed bends in theheads impart maximum flexibility thereto with provision for substantialresistance to movement of the rails.

In most of the embodiments disclosed the spike heads terminate in armswhich yieldably engage the rail flanges of an end corners thereofwhereby providing a frictional grip longitudinally of the flanges.

Furthermore, in many of the embodiments disclosed the yieldable spikeheads present two rail flange engaging points longitudinally of therails which material reduce the possibilities of rail creeping and sincethe shanks and necks of the spikes meet at offset portions defining tieplate aperture wall engaging shoulders as well as fulcriun engagementswith the aperture Walls the spike Shanks will have a substantialfrictional grip with such walls and this grip will be augmented duringmovement of the heads which otherwise would have a tendency to urge theshanks upwardly out of purchase in the ties.

While but certain specific embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed, such are to be considered as illustrative only, and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the subjoinedclaims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. In combination with an apertured tie plate and a rail supportedthereon; an integral rail retaining spike comprising a shank extendedthrough said aperture and into a tie, a yieldable arm having a free endportion extending longitudinally of the rail and downwardly intoengagement with a flange of said rail, and a connection between saidshank and said arm comprising a portion reversely curved in asubstantially horizontal plane and providing torsional resistance to theyielding of said arm, said connection overlying the rail flange.

2. A track spike formed of rectangular bar steel and comprising a shankhaving a driving top end, and a yieldable head in continuation of saidshank and comprising a curved portion at one side of the shank and in aplane at right angles to the axis thereof, and a rail flange engagingportion in continuation of said curved portion and paralleled with anadjacent side of said shank.

3. A track spike according to claim 2 wherein the plane of said curvedportion is below the top of the shank.

4. A track spike according to claim 2 wherein said curved portion issubstantially semi-circular and wherein said rail flange engagingportion is at an angle to the plane of said curved portion.

5. A track spike comprising a single piece of bar spring steel andincluding a substantially straight shank having a rounded driving head,the shank being extended from the head in the form of a semi-circularbend in a plane at right angles to the axis of the shank and terminatingin a straight rail flange engaging arm in downwardly inclined relationto said plane.

6. A track spike comprising a substantially straight shank bent at itsupper end and continued in a substantially straight portion downwardlyinclined relative to the axis of the shank, a relatively straight railflange engaging portion extending in opposition to said first straightportion and downwardly inclined relatively to the axis of said shank,and a curved portion in a plane at right angles to the axis of the shankand interconnecting said relatively straight portions.

7. A track spike according to claim 6 wherein said relatively straightportions are in spaced parallel planes.

8. A track spike according to claim 6 wherein the upper end of saidshank projects above said straight and curved portions for providing anunobstructed driving head.

9. In combination with an apertured tie plate and a rail supportedthereon; a retaining spike comprising a shank inserted through saidaperture and into a tie, a yieldable head unitary with said shank andcomprising an arm extending longitudinally of the rail and having cornercontact engagement with the rail flange at its free end, and asubstantially semi-circular curved portion interconnecting said arm andsaid shank and being substantially in a horizontal plane.

10. A unitary railway spike comprising a shank, and a yieldable headincluding a portion of coil formation in a plane perpendicular to theshank and below the top thereof, and a rail flange en` gaging arm at anangle to said plane, said coil portion interconnecting said shank andsaid arm.

11. A railway spike comprising a substantially straight shank continuedat its top in the formation of a yieldable head, the head includingopposed curved portions in a plane normal to said shank and a railflange engaging portion downwardly inclined relatively to said plane,said opposed curved portions interconnecting said shank and said flangeengaging portion.

12. A railway spike comprising a substantially straight shank and ayieldable head unitary therewith, the head including opposedsemi-circular portions at opposite sides of the axis of said shank, oneof said portions terminating in a rail flange engaging arm, and theother of said portions interconnecting said one portion and said shank.

13. In combination with a tie supported apertured tie plate and a railsupported thereon; a retaining spike comprising a relatively straightshank extended through said aperture and into the tie, and a yieldablehead unitary with, and in continuation of the shank, the head includinga semi-circular portion in a plane normal to said shank and overlying aflange of said rail, and the semi-circular portion terminating in a railflange engaging arm extending longitudinally of the rail.

14. The structure according to claim 13 wherein said flange engaging armis radially disposed with respect to the axis of said semi-circularportion.

15. A track spike comprising a substantially straight shank and ayieldable head unitary with the shank, the head including a pair ofsemicircular portions in a plane normal to said shank, one of saidsemi-circular portions terminating in a rail flange engaging armextending radially of the axis of said other semi-circular portion, andthe other of said portions interconnecting said one portion and saidshank.

16. A track spike comprising a substantially straight shank and ayieldable head unitary therewith, said head including a semi-circularportion of relatively large radius at one side of the axis of said shankand a reversed semi-circular-portion of relatively small radius at theopposite side of the axis of said shank, the last portion terminating ina rail iiange engaging arm radially disposed with respect to the axis ofthe rst portion, said rst portion interconnecting said last portion andsaid shank.

17. The structure according to claim 16 wherein said portions are in aplane normal to the axis of said shank and said arm extends downwardlyrelative to said plane.

18. A track spike comprising a shank of rectangular cross-section and ayieldable head comprising a pair of rail ange engaging portionsextending from the same side of said shank and terminating at oppositesides of the plane of said side.

19. A track spike comprising a substantially straight shank and ayieldable head unitary therewith, said head including a pair of armsextending in parallelism from one side of the shank, one of said armsbeing downwardly extended at the same side of the shank and the otherarm extending downwardly in a reverse direction and terminating at theopposite side of said shank.

20. A track spike comprising asubstantially straight shank and ayieldable head unitary therewith said head including a downwardlyinclined rail flange engaging portion at one side of the shank, a secondrail flange engaging portion overlying and parallel with the firstportion for a part of the extent thereof, the second portion beingdeiiected from the rst portion in the form of a bend at right angles tothe shank and thence extending downwardly in opposition to the firstportion for engagement with a rail Iiange at the opposite side of theshank.

21. A track spike comprising a substantially straight shank and ayieldable head unitary therewith, the head including oppositelyextending downwardly deflected rail ange engaging portions and asemi-circular portion in one of said first portions and cooperating withboth of the first portions in resisting deection thereof under torsionalstrain.

22. A track spike formed from a single bar of steel bent intermediateits ends from which point the two portions are in side by side contactproviding a substantially straight shank, the portions of the head ofthe shank being bent substantially at right angles to the shank andextending substantially straight in superposed relation for a distancefrom one side of the shank, the lower portion being downwardly extendedfrom the remote point of superposition to provide a rail ange engagingarm, the top portion being bent in a plane at right angles to the shankand extended therefrom in the form of a downwardly extended armsubstantially in direct opposition to the first arm to engage a railange at a point remote from that of the irst arm.

GEORGE W. MULLER.

